Head Trip in Every Key was recorded in three months at Sound City Studios with producer Jerry Finn.

[3][4] Released on March 24, 1998, Head Trip in Every Key received strong reviews from critics.

The music, contrary to previous recordings by the band, contained a combination of string orchestras, pianos, sitars, organs, and other out-of-the-ordinary instrumentation.

(The band has admitted as much later that they were taking advantage of the money Elektra provided to them in order to create the best studio album they could, regardless of the label's demands for radio hits, knowing that they might never have that kind of funding again.)

Cortez, who was described by Davis as "the one person at the company that wholeheartedly believed in Head Trip In Every Key", strongly attempted to push the singles of the album to radio in his area, was able to convince Elektra to release "Hellbent" as a single, and helped get the band some appearances at some radio festivals.